Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has praised the qualities that Islam Slimani will bring to Newcastle in the club’s battle to stay in the Premier League.
Slimani secured a loan move to St James’ Park from Leicester on Deadline Day and has already declared his intention to score the goals that will propel the Magpies away from the bottom three.
The Algeria international endured a torrid 18-month spell at the King Power Stadium following a club record £30 million move from Sporting Lisbon, but Henry, who is Arsenal’s record goalscorer, has given Slimani a ringing endorsement that will be music to the ears of long-suffering Toon supporters.
“I’ve followed him for a very long time. He works hard, he’s good in the air, he’s quick.” The Chronicle report Henry as saying on Sky Sports.
“It’s a good move for him and for Newcastle . It’s a no brainer for me,” he said.
The attributes that Henry lists mirror those that Magpies boss Rafa Benitez values in a lone front-man and the Spaniard will hope Slimani can recover quickly from a thigh injury, sustained in training prior to his move to Tyneside, to fire Newcastle to safety.
